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3rd out of 64 books
—
76 voters
My rating:
add to my books
The Maze of Bones (39 Clues #1)
by
Rick Riordan
Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her decendants an impossible decision: You have a choice - one million dollars or a clue.
Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills, the world's most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini is related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39 clues hidden around the world will r
...moreHardcover, 220 pages
Published
October 1st 2008
by Scholastic Press
(first published September 1st 2008)
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Book one of The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones, by author Rick Riordan, is an exciting young readers adventure book that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat. Well, your toilet seat, because the only place worth reading this book is while you're on the porcelain throne.
Amy and Dan Cahill are typical squabbling siblings who believe one another are the most annoying brother and sister in the world. However, that all changes when they get summoned to their mega-rich grandma Gr...more
Amy and Dan Cahill are typical squabbling siblings who believe one another are the most annoying brother and sister in the world. However, that all changes when they get summoned to their mega-rich grandma Gr...more
Grace Cahill changed her will moments before she died. For Amy and Dan, the loss of Grace, their grandmother, is a terribly sad event. They will miss their weekends spending time at the family mansion hearing stories of Grace’s past adventures and exploring the many rooms.
After the funeral, certain family members are invited to the reading of the will. Amy and Dan are included. Everyone is anxious to find out what their inheritance will be. No one expects what happens. Everyone...more
After the funeral, certain family members are invited to the reading of the will. Amy and Dan are included. Everyone is anxious to find out what their inheritance will be. No one expects what happens. Everyone...more
Reads like Luke W. was the ghostwriter. (Which means it's really good!) Starts with a bang!
I read this one pretty quickly, as it is definitely a page-turner. My expectations may have been excessively high, due to the fact that I like Rick Riordan and I've heard so much buzz about Scholastic's hope to keep themselves big in the post-Harry Potter market with this new "multi-platform" series (books, trading cards, internet game, and cash prizes). I'm giving this four stars and...more
I read this one pretty quickly, as it is definitely a page-turner. My expectations may have been excessively high, due to the fact that I like Rick Riordan and I've heard so much buzz about Scholastic's hope to keep themselves big in the post-Harry Potter market with this new "multi-platform" series (books, trading cards, internet game, and cash prizes). I'm giving this four stars and...more
Well, I've read MOST of it. The ARC is missing the ending. Scholastic did that on purpose because it is all part of the game, the cards, etc.
What I read was fun, but not amazing. It appears to be an Amazing Race sort of book --- a bunch of different groups all chasing around the world for clues that will solve a big mystery. This first one sets things up. Two kids (younger boy is a gaming/computer guy while the older sister is a shy bookworm) and their au pair (just happens to know...more
What I read was fun, but not amazing. It appears to be an Amazing Race sort of book --- a bunch of different groups all chasing around the world for clues that will solve a big mystery. This first one sets things up. Two kids (younger boy is a gaming/computer guy while the older sister is a shy bookworm) and their au pair (just happens to know...more
I've signed up for an online account, and am told I am a Lucien. Let the hunt begin. One of my 7th grade teachers read aloud the first chapter to her 130 students on Friday. Guess how many requests I have for the book now?
I finished the book last night, have entered one set of cards and unlocked my first clue, and have mastered the first five tasks the online game has presented to me. I wanted to be able to answer student questions about how to play or what was required. I plan to ra...more
I finished the book last night, have entered one set of cards and unlocked my first clue, and have mastered the first five tasks the online game has presented to me. I wanted to be able to answer student questions about how to play or what was required. I plan to ra...more
My review copy of The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (Scholastic, 2008) came with 6 game cards embedded in the cover. After musing about how this would work in the public library, it occurred to me to read John Mason’s accompanying letter – library editions, of course, will feature reinforced binding and NO game cards.
Game cards? Yes, this is one of those “it’s a book! And a trading-card game! And an online game!” multi-platform series thingies. There will be ten books (outlined ...more
Game cards? Yes, this is one of those “it’s a book! And a trading-card game! And an online game!” multi-platform series thingies. There will be ten books (outlined ...more
If you liked The Westing Game, Chasing Vermeer and enjoyed the movie National Treasure, this book will at the very least not put you to sleep. But if you're looking for a piece of kids' fiction that will knock your socks off the way Harry Potter knocked most of our socks off, this ain't it.
This is the first in a series that publishing house Scholastic hopes will buoy its financial success along after the conclusion of the Harry Potter series. If only this book were nearly as compl...more
This is the first in a series that publishing house Scholastic hopes will buoy its financial success along after the conclusion of the Harry Potter series. If only this book were nearly as compl...more
Since this one comes with games and such and I anticipate a lot of students reading it, I feel obligated to read it. Not that there isn't some interesting stuff in the book -- some of the history can lead to further interest from the readers, but there are also so many issues: full of cliches, flat/cardboard characters, easy-ways-out without intricate patterns, and remarkably draggy for this type of supposedly fast-paced, action-packed thriller. So far, some kids really enjoyed it and yet I al...more
Eliza fuller
is currently reading it
i am on chapter twelve and i am at the part where they are following iriana in paris and they have found the headquarters of one of the branches in there family.
melanie (lit*chick)
rated it
Recommended to melanie (lit*chick) by:
school librarian
Shelves:
childrens-lit
The school librarian mentioned this to me, and I decided to see what the fuss was about. My tendancy is to run away from books with slick marketing ploys, but I'll probably get caught up in the madness anyhow. Just like that darn Twilight series.
after finishing:
I think this will be a neat series for older elementary readers. It's got a lot going on, but isn't hard to read. And it is fun for the parents to get involved too.
reminds me of the movie National Treasure mi...more
after finishing:
I think this will be a neat series for older elementary readers. It's got a lot going on, but isn't hard to read. And it is fun for the parents to get involved too.
reminds me of the movie National Treasure mi...more
If only I were 14 again... Rick Riordan would be my idol. I am excited about this new series, and sure hope that a lot of kids pick this book up and enjoy the new adventure. Riordan had a great idea - an interactive mystery, with prizes even available. If only I could enter....... I love the way he mixes interesting historical facts with a present-day mystery - a mystery that could determine the fate of the whole world! It's kind of like a Da Vinci Code for kids. A very entertaining ...more
I see you there, 39 Clues series, ripping off Harry Potter with your four family branches each represented by an animal. I don't care if this is a children's book; how addictive!
Rick Riordian is one of my favorite adolescent authors. I thought he did a good job with The Maze of Bones but I’m not as crazy about it as I am his Percy Jackson series.
Parentless Dan and Amy Cahill are from a very famous and wealthy family. When their favorite aunt Grace dies, they are thrown into a race across the globe after… well… 39 clues that lead to some sort of family secret that will bring world power to the winner.
Some of the things I’m liking about this series: how i...more
Parentless Dan and Amy Cahill are from a very famous and wealthy family. When their favorite aunt Grace dies, they are thrown into a race across the globe after… well… 39 clues that lead to some sort of family secret that will bring world power to the winner.
Some of the things I’m liking about this series: how i...more
Dennis Dao-The 39 Clues Book One The Maze Of Bones-220 Pages
As Amy and Dan Cahill's Grandmother Grace died, they have to decide on accepting one milloin dollars from her will or taking on a challenge that can make them the most powerful people in the world. They compete with the Holt family, Ian and Natalie Kabra, superstar singer/actor Jonah Wizard, the annoying Starling triplets, a former Russian spy named Irina Spasky, and "Uncle" Alistair Oh. Their firet clue leads them to th...more
As Amy and Dan Cahill's Grandmother Grace died, they have to decide on accepting one milloin dollars from her will or taking on a challenge that can make them the most powerful people in the world. They compete with the Holt family, Ian and Natalie Kabra, superstar singer/actor Jonah Wizard, the annoying Starling triplets, a former Russian spy named Irina Spasky, and "Uncle" Alistair Oh. Their firet clue leads them to th...more
I was impressed with the first book in the "39 Clues" series.
I thought that it was going to just be a non-stop action adventure book for boys but it turns out to be something more.
The first book in the series "The Maze of Bones" is written by Rick Riordan, the author of the very popular Lightening Thief series. And each book following will be written by an acclaimed junior fiction author; Gordon Korman has penned the second in the series.
What I enjoyed is ...more
I thought that it was going to just be a non-stop action adventure book for boys but it turns out to be something more.
The first book in the series "The Maze of Bones" is written by Rick Riordan, the author of the very popular Lightening Thief series. And each book following will be written by an acclaimed junior fiction author; Gordon Korman has penned the second in the series.
What I enjoyed is ...more
I can't decide fully how much I liked this book. It really depends on the rest of the series. It was fun to read. It was very much like National Treasure though, which I do love.
These relatives of a deceased woman are put up to a challenge that could make them the most powerful of their family...or of the world...
It was a bit annoying...and this could be a little bit of a spoiler (so sorry if this bugs you...but I don't think it gives much away)....at how often when Amy ...more
These relatives of a deceased woman are put up to a challenge that could make them the most powerful of their family...or of the world...
It was a bit annoying...and this could be a little bit of a spoiler (so sorry if this bugs you...but I don't think it gives much away)....at how often when Amy ...more
Supposedly the next "Harry Potter" according to the publishers, I got the book at the book fair and began reading it to my 4th graders. It definately reads like it is written as a screen play, not a novel. I hear a movie, action figures, etc. are in the works. The characters are flat and unlikeable, the plot was difficult to follow, and the clues weren't even remotely close to anything a grade school kid could figure out. Add to the fact that the first few clues were in France with to...more
Phillip Sawyer
rated it
Recommends it for:
4th-7th grade boys, history lovers, treasure hunters,
Shelves:
youth
I read this book to my 3rd grade son who ate it up. He's a big fan of the film "National Treasure" and this book follows the vein of that plot- an around the world treasure hunt through history.
Following the death of their rich grandmother Grace, siblings Amy and Dan Cahill race around the world to gather the 39 clues before their extended family members can find them. Lots of action, stereotypical character development, and fun historical scavenger hunt through the life o...more
Following the death of their rich grandmother Grace, siblings Amy and Dan Cahill race around the world to gather the 39 clues before their extended family members can find them. Lots of action, stereotypical character development, and fun historical scavenger hunt through the life o...more
I was neither disappointed nor impressed with this book. My cynical self wondered how good the story could be if you need books, trading cards, and the internet to tell it; my Rick Riordan fan self just said, yay! The plot is quite engaging, if DaVinci Code-esque (or rather, The Eight-esque, but I digress). I'll read another one or two to see how the different authors affects the storytelling. The concept reminds me of Click and it will be interesting to compare the two. I haven't gone o...more
The 39 Clues is a series of books that just began a few months ago. Scholastic, which published the Harry Potter series, concocted this series. Rather than turn the whole series over to a single author, it contracted with several prominent teen-lit authors. It also wisely retained all the marketing rights.
The first book is by Rick Riordan, who wrote the Percy Jackson series. I enjoy Riordan's writing, but felt like this was watered down and aimed at 8-year-olds. I prefer the books th...more
The first book is by Rick Riordan, who wrote the Percy Jackson series. I enjoy Riordan's writing, but felt like this was watered down and aimed at 8-year-olds. I prefer the books th...more
Nice read, but Mr. Riordan is far way better when he writes on his own rather than following a pubbed house guidelines. Loved Percy Jackson way better than this one. It lacks the humor, I guess. Or it's more subtle in this case.
Anyway, fun read for kids, throws them into reading and into searching for clues. Which isn't bad.
Anyway, fun read for kids, throws them into reading and into searching for clues. Which isn't bad.
This was an AWESOME book! Rick Riordan is one of my favorite authors and he definitely comes through on this one. I felt like the effort to come up with "witty" clues fell a little short, as I was expecting a large, challenging puzzle that wouldn't be revealed for quite a long time, much like the Spy X series. Unfortunately, it seemed as if Amy or Dan or someone with them (Nellie, Allstair Oh, etc.) instantly knew the answer. Most of this book was focused on the action from getting fr...more
This book is incredible, if you like mysteries read it. i've also read the 2d one to. they are both fantastic and i'm waiting for the 3rd!
Parents, get your kids involved in this series! It is a mystery, a spy thriller, and a covertly educational choice for them. It has cross appeal for so many genre's, plus the online gaming appeal. The book is cleverly written, the educational stuff so discreetly tucked into the text that I didn't realize I was learning anything until a day later when I used a piece of trivia from this book in conversation! Boys, girls and adults who are kids at heart, this book is an entertaining read. Ther...more
A kids version of National Treasure! This is the first in a series of 10 books. But no long wait since they're using different authors and the next is due out in December. Rick Riordan (of Percy Jackson fame) wrote the first one and was involved in the developing the overall story arc. Very easy to read and entertaining. Finally a young girl leading the way! And of course I'm playing along online to find the treasure! There are trading cards also which come with clues. Since the clues are d...more
Jessi
rated it
I read this book because I had started the author's other series and though I should check this one out. I started this while doing my laundry and could NOT put it down. I ended up staying at the laundromat well past the time my clothes should have come out of the dryer just so I could finish this book.
I would call this a mash-up of the DaVinci Code, National Treasure, and every book about families and secret wills with a dash of Artemis Fowl and Charlie Bone thrown in. Two children, up...more
I would call this a mash-up of the DaVinci Code, National Treasure, and every book about families and secret wills with a dash of Artemis Fowl and Charlie Bone thrown in. Two children, up...more
This is a first - I'm giving the review both for the book and its companion website, since you can hardly talk about the book without the game.
The concept behind the 39 Clues series is very interesting - Rick Riordan wrote the first book of a ten-book arc, and will plan the entire arc. Other writers will write other books in the series. The series has a companion website with a game, trading cards, and a real-life contest for real prizes. On the website, players are informed that the...more
The concept behind the 39 Clues series is very interesting - Rick Riordan wrote the first book of a ten-book arc, and will plan the entire arc. Other writers will write other books in the series. The series has a companion website with a game, trading cards, and a real-life contest for real prizes. On the website, players are informed that the...more
When Grace Cahill changes her will right before she dies, she tells her remaining family that they can each receive $1 million or an adventure of a lifetime to discover the secrets of their family tree and powerful history. Eleven year old Dan and his sister, fourteen year old Amy know that their Grandma Grace would want them to chose the adventure. Now they are fighting for their lives against other unlikeable members of their family, finding clues and solving mysteries.
There will be 10 ...more
There will be 10 ...more
Dan and Amy had always felt that they were Grandma Grace’s favorites. Ever since their parents had died, she’d always had time to spend with them. She appreciated their gifts and always encouraged their creativity. When she passed, Dan and Amy were deeply saddened. All the relatives showed up at the funeral but really they were all just hoping to get a piece of Grace’s vast fortune.
Grace being a rather unique woman herself, arranged to have the last word. After the funeral, a group ...more
Grace being a rather unique woman herself, arranged to have the last word. After the funeral, a group ...more
This is The Da Vinci Code for kids, which I didn't care for either. It appears as an intricate and ingeniously constructed worldwide puzzle involving famous people and artifacts. The protagonists go on a race against time and other people to find the answers to puzzles, which will lead them to additional clues, promising to ultimately result in knowledge/use of the greatest, most powerful secret the world has ever known. Of course other people constantly work to thwart their progress or even kil...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| movie or series | 10 | 20 | Jan 11, 2012 09:35am | |
| 39 clues series feedback | 13 | 41 | Dec 22, 2011 05:33pm | |
| 39 clues | 1 | 13 | Oct 21, 2011 09:48am | |
| Is this a good series? | 4 | 26 | Sep 22, 2011 11:29am | |
| Is this a good series? | 22 | 31 | Sep 06, 2011 04:51am | |
| Public Libraries & 39 Clues | 6 | 110 | Oct 27, 2008 01:09pm |
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Rick Riordan is an American author from Texas famous for his Percy Jackson and the Olympians series (The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, The Last Olympian). He attended The University of Texas at Austin in 1986, where he double-majored in English and History He also wrote The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles) and, most recently, The Lost Hero (Her...more
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“She led the way. Eyeless sockets of the dead seemed to stare at them as they passed.
"These are cool," Dan decided. "Maybe I could-"
"No, Dan," Amy said. "You can't collect human bones."
"Awww.”
—
95 people liked it
"These are cool," Dan decided. "Maybe I could-"
"No, Dan," Amy said. "You can't collect human bones."
"Awww.”
“Amy, Dan, and Nellie were sitting at a table in a conference room, examining reproductions of Franklin documents-some so rare, the librarians told her, the only copies existed in Paris.
"Yeah, here's a rare grocery list," Dan muttered. "Wow.”
—
58 people liked it
More quotes…
"Yeah, here's a rare grocery list," Dan muttered. "Wow.”
Feb 08, 2010 05:48am
Actually, I held back. My students begged me to ...more
Feb 08, 2010 03:40pm